Diaz-Balart Remarks During Floor Consideration of H.R. 8034, 8035, and 8036, a Series of Security Supplemental Bills

Apr 20, 2024

Statements

Madam Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 8035, the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, as well as the other two national security supplemental bills and a fourth bill that is full of strong conservative policy priorities.

As we stand here today, a strategic-military troika of evil sits over the horizon marching toward the destruction of the values that we and our democratic allies hold so dear.

We can either turn our heads away and hope to appease this great evil or we can stand by our allies and confront this nefarious scourge.

History has taught us that appeasement does not work.

It was attempted not that long ago through the failed Obama-Clinton "reset" with the communist KGB thug Putin. That administration believed Putin could be satiated with Georgia and Crimea.

They were wrong, and today Putin's appetite has only grown. Now he wants all of Ukraine, tomorrow Moldova, the Baltics and Poland?

History repeats itself. I am reminded that in 1947 Congress provided military and economic support for Greece and Turkey, keeping them out of the hands of the Soviet Union.

Today, this Congress, has the chance to do the same by supporting these bills, that confront the troika, and fully fund our security commitments to support Israel, Taiwan and Ukraine which are confronting existential challenges to their very existence.

The only way to stand up to Putin, and the others, in the words of Ronald Reagan, is peace through strength.

That is what every member voting yes on these bills is standing for today.

This bill supports that principle, two-thirds of which will be spent here at home through investments in the U.S. defense industrial base and replenishing our military base.

The supplemental also provides critical security assistance to help ensure Ukraine has the training and weapons it needs to win, such as additional artillery rounds and air defense systems.

The bill requires a clear strategy from the Administration that defines and prioritizes U.S. national security interests in Ukraine.

It also includes unprecedent oversight and accountability requirements, including robust funding for our Inspectors General and end-use monitoring of U.S. defense transfers.

Similarly, economic assistance to Ukraine is subject to extensive burden sharing and transparency requirements, including unprecedented cost-matching by our European and other allies.

In addition, for the first time ever this bill requires that the funding we provide to Ukraine for economic assistance be subject to repayment to the United States.

In sum, Madam Chairman, this is a critical bill that directly supports the national security interests of the United States.

I urge a strong yes vote and reserve the balance of my time.

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In closing, Madam Chairman, we may be nearing a dangerous inflection point in this war.

If the thug Putin were to win, it would be a disaster for our national security - on par with this Administration's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Imagine how this outcome would embolden Russia's key strategic ally, communist China, to undertake military coercion or aggression against Taiwan, and the fateful consequences that would stem from that.

I want to remind my colleagues that appeasement never works.

Harry Truman and Ronald Reagan both understood, as President Reagan said, that:

"We know only too well that war comes not when the forces of freedom are strong, but when they are weak. It is then, that tyrants are tempted."

It is time to be resolute. Let's heed the lessons of history, and support this bill.

Finally, I want to thank Speaker Johnson for his principled leadership and fortitude in moving forward with this bill in the face of daunting obstacles. His resolve is a testament to his strength of character.

I also want to thank Chairman Cole and Ranking Member DeLauro for their leadership on this bill.

I urge a strong yes vote and yield back the balance of my time.